Anchorage Travel Guide

Anchorage Overview

Alaska's largest city is the hub of the state, and its central
position, mild temperatures and outstanding transport system to and
from the rest of the country has made it an important destination
for travellers. Perched on the edge of a vast, keenly beautiful
wilderness, Anchorage is encompassed in scenic splendour,
surrounded by mountains, forest, rivers and tundra. Just a short
drive away in any direction offers an abundant variety of
wilderness experiences.

The city started out in 1915 as a tent camp for the workers on
the Alaska Railroad, and with the later discovery of oil at Prudhoe
Bay and the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline, Anchorage's
development was fast and furious. Today the sprawling city is full
of life but lacking in charm. Alaskans living outside the city
complain that Anchorage isn't really Alaska, it is a city on the
outskirts of Alaska, and the common joke often heard is 'Anchorage
isn't Alaska, but you can see it from there'.

As a cosmopolitan urban sprawl it has similarities with other
small American cities, yet it is uniquely Alaskan. Its
conservative, transient character is due in part to the fact that
many of its residents are from other parts of America, working for
a few years and then moving on. The rest of the population is a
muddle of Alaskan Native people, oil workers, gold seekers, loggers
and fishermen, together with the moose and occasional bear that
wander into town. There are some excellent restaurants, museums, a
Native cultural centre and shops that, together with its setting,
make it a pleasant stopover.

Travel guide by (c) Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.